Pubdate: Sat, 28 Jun 2003 Source: East African Standard, The (Kenya) Copyright: 2003 The East African Standard Contact: http://www.eastandard.net/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1743 Authors: Evelyn Kwamboka, Daniel Nyassy and Patrick Beja Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/areas/Kenya (Kenya) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/areas/Africa (Africa) SCHOOL HEADS VOW TO FIGHT DRUGS The Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (KSSHA) has resolved to support and commit itself to make learning institutions drug free zones. The heads of schools also recommended that sponsors of national educational events should be rejected if they are promoting the use of drugs. This was said during the KSSHA national annual conference in Mombasa. The meeting was attended by 3,500 heads of schools and key Ministry of Education officials. In his keynote speech on drug abuse among students, Prof. Peter Odhiambo said there are 400,000 secondary school students who were already addicted to drugs. Odhiambo who is associated with the National Agency on the Campaign Against Drugs (NACADA), said the number of girls abusing drugs was also growing at an alarming rate. "Out of the 400,000 secondary school students abusing drugs, 16,000 are girls," he said. He said students had wrong beliefs that when they took drugs, their academic performance would be enhanced. Nacada national co-ordinator Mr Joseph Kaguthi, said the agency has allocated Sh1.8 million to the fight against drugs in secondary schools. Kaguthi said drug barons were targeting those aged between 15 and 21, who are mainly secondary school students. "Every year, drug barons get Sh400 million from drugs sold in Kenya," he revealed. KSSHA Chairman, Mr Peterson Muthathai, said the association will assist its members to strengthen guidance and counselling departments to achieve desirable discipline in line with children rights. Due to the increasing number of strikes in schools, the teachers resolved that head teachers, teachers, school property and students should be insured. Muthathai, said the current insurance policy on schools vehicles was not adequate as it does not cover the passengers. He said both the Minister and the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education have shown great interest in giving schools a better cover. "The Minister and PS were surprised to learn that students and members of staff are not covered by the insurance for public school vehicles. They are keenly studying our recommendations," he said. On the issue of pregnancy, he said teachers agreed that no student should be denied education after she has given birth. The PS Prof. Karega Mutahi, said there was need to transfer the children to other schools due to psychological effects. Muthathai teachers said that the review of the Education act should consider the roles of Parents Teachers Association (PTA) and the sponsor in the management of schools. "PTA committees should be composed of real parents in the schools. These committee should elect their representatives at the district, provincial and national levels," he said. Muthathai said fees guidelines should be discussed at district levels to cater for the regional disparities. - --- MAP posted-by: Thunder